Suncor says it was not able to provide more specific details prior to obtaining patent protection for the technology. However, the company will provide the AER with more data on the process.

If left untreated, FFT can take decades (or even centuries) to settle and dewater, preventing the timely reclamation of tailings storage ponds. FFT capture plans must be approved by the AER under the province's Tailings Management Directive 085.